windows audio file to mp3

[teag1rl]

I'm trying to get some music onto my new phone. I think it'll only take mp3's. When copying CD's onto my comp there doesnt seem to be an option to make them mp3's. They're just automatically copied as windows audio files. is there a way to convert them? The answer isn't jumping out at me but then I'm no genius at technology!

[brachiopod]

You can download various software for free / share / trial that will convert .wma to .mp3.
However, this inevitably leads to some loss of quality to some degree (depending on which program you use).

There are reasons that, by default, Microsoft only allow conversion to .wma - 1. that naturally, they want to promote their own format (.wma) and, 2. it would cost money to include the facility to convert to mp3, since they would be using licensed technology that is not their own.

Putting aside the Microsoft "issue" (in that there are many who have a downer on them) - I personally like Windows Media Player very much - and I have tried quite a few others before re-discovering it, and found it suited my needs.

I did, however, download a (MS compatible) 'patch' that allows me to rip a CD as an mp3 rather than .wma
I don't know about the latest versions of WMP, but I would expect that soon it will rip to mp3 as standard, as mp3 becomes the dominant format. (note that popuar does not necessarily mean better - qv. Betamax v. VHS)

Anyway, the 'patch' cost a few dollars (ie a few quid - yes, I'm in the UK) - but was well worth it, since, despite already owning legitimate software that could rip to mp3, I could now do it in WMP that I preferred.

[LeMarchand]

You could also use a different program to rip your CDs that would do it straight to mp3.

[stevie21]

Tools > Options > Rip Music. Change the file type to mp3.
You can continue to use Windows Media Player.

[jezmatron]

stevie21 hit the nail on the head.. no patch req'd

[teag1rl]

Thanks a lot guys. Unfortunately your answers canme too late and I copied them all again straight into the phone software which solved problem but was pain in the 'arris, so I shall take your advice in the future. Thank you!

[brachiopod]

Just as an aside - if it had been as easy as to just change the file type to mp3 - then I assure you that would have been done!

Don't know the situation now, but, originally, it used to be the case that in Windows Media Player, the only 'ripping' option was .wma.
mp3 was there in the drop-down menu, but could not be selected as it was "greyed-out".

Apologies for being an old git !!